GRAND OPENING... BETTER LATE THAN NEVER!!

Heidy-Ho, Blogging Pals!

Without going into excruciating detail about my lower back issues and the challenges I have had over the years associated with them, I want to do two things:
1)  Update you on those issues, and
2)  Give some credit where it is due!

The year 2010 was a difficult one.  After relocating here in 2009 and having so many changes with which to deal, I found myself considerably heavier than I had ever been and in probably the worst shape of my life.  Ugh!  Not good. Of course, when we don't keep our bodies healthy, we often suffer the consequences of that.  In 2010, I spent a good part of the year flat on my back on an ice pack and eating over-the-counter NSAIDs (Aleve was my NSAID of choice) like they were candy.  X-Rays, MRIs, neurosurgeon visits, and an awful lot of frustration later, I finally encountered a doctor (orthopedic surgeon, I believe?) who gave me a big pile of you-know-what and told me to get busy working out hard to get myself back in shape!  Well... I was horribly offended and mad... which is pretty much what I apparently needed to get me motivated to "prove" what I could do.

Fast forward to January 2011.  That is when I began to walk in the morning again, something I had done while in Texas but something that had gone by the wayside when I arrived here.  I couldn't get very far that first month.  I was worn out every morning and wondered if I had lost my mind!  The second month was a little better and I was traveling a little farther.  The most motivating thing was the lower number i was seeing on the scale!  Portion control was added to the mix once the number started to drop.  Hmmmmm.  This might actually work!  By April 2011, I was feeling pretty darned good about the situation... and had not had a back episode since October 2010!

So, in June 2011 I inadvertently came across a young lady who was setting up to open up a Personal Training studio here.  I had a conversation with her and felt as though she might be able to work with me to help me gain even more ground.  I spoke to my good friend, Susan S., to determine if she would like to be "abused" twice a week with me and we signed ourselves up for our first 24-week session with DeAnna.  Quite honestly, I don't think DeAnna was quite ready to begin training sessions at that time... but she was smart enough to not turn down business and we began working with her that month.

Since then, I have made tremendous progress in strength, flexibility, and balance.  Oh yeah... I've dropped some more of those pounds and quite a few inches and Susan and I have continued to sign up again each time a session ends.

I'm telling you all of this for two reasons:
1)  If you live in this town and are considering doing some working out, I highly recommend DeAnna, Sculpture Training Studio, as a good place to start (http://sculpturetraining.com/Home.html), and
2)  Wherever you are, believe me that you can do a whole lot for your physical health with just a little walking and a little self-restraint!!  It's worth it!!

Oh... the point of this post! DeAnna just had her Grand Opening on October 1st, 2012, about 15 months after we started working out with her. Guess better late than never? :) Here are a few photos from that opening.

Sign in and Sign up for Door prizes!!



I like to call this "The Wall of Pain" although I don't think DeAnna uses that term.




The orange and black are not for Halloween... they are the colors of the studio.  Two beautiful tables of goodies were waiting for Grand Opening attendees.




Plenty of fresh fruit available at this end of the table... brownies and cupcakes at the other end!

 I will tell you that DeAnna had printed up and set on the table next to the brownies and the cupcakes exactly how many Jumping Jacks and some other exercise one would have to do after eating just ONE of either!!!  Don't think we tried either of them.  I'm sure they were good... but so were the grapes and strawberries!

It isn't the New Year and I am not one for resolutions... but if you aren't feeling great every day and are wishing you could do more... you can.  Get up and get moving.  If I can do this, you can, too!!!

Until next post...

RUDE AND LAZY!! GREAT COMBO!!!

Heidy-Ho, Blogging Buddies.

Yep.  The title tells you.  It's another rant.  If you're not in the mood, please just move on right now.

So... there are a couple of things I try to be aware of and try to do just as a courtesy to the general public.  I am finding there are very few folks who do the same here.

When I am shopping in the local Sam Walton Big Box store, I am aware that many of the aisles are quite narrow.  At the very BEST, two carts can pass each other with millimeters to spare.  There are times when I need to stop and scan the shelves for items that I typically do not buy.  This is generally when I am shopping for my aunt's items.  When I must stop, I pay close attention to what else is happening in the aisle in which I am shopping.  I NEVER stop my cart directly opposite someone else's stopped cart.  Even as I scan shelves, I pay attention to my cart and am quick to move it should someone come along and stop near it, blocking potential traffic.  When I occasionally run into someone I know while shopping, I drag my cart as far as possible to one side in line with my acquaintance's.  This way, we have left room for others to pass while we visit briefly.

Do you think my shopping process is the norm here?  If so, you would be sadly mistaken.  I have encountered carts, parked side-by-side, with the "drivers" scanning the products on the shelves without a care that they have completely log jammed the entire aisle.  I have been drawn to a complete halt as folks stand next to each other with their respective carts forward of them engaged in extended conversations about family, friends, football... nothing urgent.  I will note that in both of these scenarios, I have stood in line-of-sight of the offending cart-pushers who most frequently simply continue with whatever they are doing without even a slight movement toward adjusting their carts to allow my egress.  In fairness, there have been a few times (maybe 10%) where the cart-operator has actually moved the cart and mumbled what might have been an apology for blocking my way. I won't even discuss the shoppers who shop together, moving side-by-side down each aisle while chatting, oblivious to the havoc they are creating for other shoppers.


Once I have managed to purchase, pay, and make my way to the parking lot, I unload my bags into my vehicle, then push the cart to the nearest "cart corral" where it can hang out with its empty buddies until the "cart-herder" arrives to take them all back up to the store.

Again, are you thinking others do this?  If so, you are once again thinking of the minority.  More often than not, I find empty carts blocking parking spaces when I arrive and I watch fully able-bodied, younger-than-I-am individuals leave their emptied carts to "free range" in the parking lot, rolling at will into vehicles or rolling into a parking space in such a manner that one cannot park a vehicle there (although perhaps a Smart car could make it?).  Yeppir.  The really killer thing here is that frequently these "free range" carts are blocking parking within 2 to 3 spaces of the "cart corral!"  HOW LAZY DO YOU HAVE TO BE to not walk five steps with your cart to put it in its proper place?!?!?  Unbelievable!!

Alright.  I'm done.  I only ask that you please be aware of what is happening around you wherever you are and whatever you are doing.  It's the right thing to do.

Until next post...

GOVERNMENT-RUN? NIGHTMARE!!!

Heidy-Ho, Blogging Buddies.

I try to remain apolitical during my posts.  This is not a political blog nor do I wish it to turn into one.  However, sometimes things happen that make me truly angry about government-run programs.  After encountering several of them recently, my anger has truly peaked so the following rant is to make you all aware of what you face.

I have been trying to assist a family friend here with some assistance.  She turned 95 at the end of August.  She worked her entire life for relatively low wages.  She has lived alone ever since her husband died many years ago.  She has no children although she does have a nephew and some nieces but none living in town.  Her Social Security check each month is a net $570.  Her Blue Cross/Blue Shield Medicare Supplement premium payment is $263.  Is anyone else seeing a problem here?

My friend has had both knees replaced (about 12 years ago), one hip replaced (maybe 10 years ago?), eye surgery, and a recent (2 years ago) double mastectomy due to breast cancer!  Yes.  She has certainly weathered some substantial health challenges.  She never asks for help and has been taking care of herself for a very long time.  She does have folks who run errands for her and do her grocery shopping for her.  She never wants to "trouble" anyone.

About 3 weeks ago, my friend called me and told me she needed help.  Since she has NEVER done this, I was clearly concerned.  I went to visit with her the next day.  One of the replaced knees has apparently finally given out, leaving her able to get around with only great difficulty.  She has begun using a walker that she had from when the knees were replaced.  It is large and somewhat bulky and difficult for her to navigate within her home but she uses it.  She told me she was having great difficulty remaining on her feet for any length of time due to the knee pain and that it took her so long to do things with the walker that she just was not able to handle 3 meals a day herself.  What she had asked of me was to simply bring her a meal with enough to eat for lunch and dinner that same day.  What was obvious to me was that this one day was not going to help enough.  She clearly needed assistance during the day.

I began by calling a local Council on Aging which advised they had a list of "sitters" and their phone numbers.  I could retrieve that and start calling to find help.  I also called a Lake Charles-based service based on the referral from one of my aunt's caregivers.  This service was wonderful.  They understood the situation and told me they would get back with me if they were able to help.  I heard from them about two days later and we scheduled an appointment with my friend.  We completed paperwork there and they assured me they would have a person there the next day to begin helping my friend.  Whew!!  A relief.

My friend had advised her niece would be returning to the area in mid-September and she would come stay with her.  I decided to just cover the caregiver expense since it would only be about a month.  It was later that my friend told me she wanted to keep the service coming rather than have her niece move in with her.  Okay.  That meant I needed to explore the options to have this service covered by insurance or by some program.

I called a number provided by the service I was using for her.  The young man on the other end of the line apparently pulled up my friend's information in "The Beast" (the government computer system that knows every single thing about you!) and advised me that she did not qualify for one program as she was not on "full Medicaid", whatever that is.  He told me I could apply at the local office (which there isn't) or online.  He also told me that she DID qualify for the "Waiver program" (GREAT!) but that she would need to complete an application (no problem), submit it (no problem), and have that reviewed in order to be placed on the waiting list for payment for the services.  Okay.  So what kind of timeline are we looking at here?  Well, they are currently reviewing applications from... wait for it... March (it's September)!!  Of 2008.  Yes.  You read that correctly.  They are four-and-a-half years behind in application review... which is necessary before one can get on the waiting list!!!  I began laughing hysterically in this guy's ear.  Really???  You DO realize she will likely be DEAD before her application is even reviewed, right?  He stayed on message and simply told me that he had to provide me with that information.  I thanked him and advised him I do not shoot messengers but that I would hate to have his job if the best hope I could ever offer was a minimum 5-year wait.

I am dealing with this now by working toward getting Medicaid coverage for my friend.  I have no idea what kind of timeline that will be... but I'm betting the state government works a little faster than the federal government.  Regardless, I will make certain my friend is taken care of no matter what.  She deserves it... and it's the right thing to do.

So... if you think that any government-run program is preferable to one run by an individual or a company that has to be competitive and customer-service-oriented to stay in business, please come join me in this journey through government-program Hell.  I can promise you this is not pleasant and I assure you it will not get better.  I just hope my sanity holds out long enough to help my friend.  Beyond that, I will do everything within my power to make sure I NEVER have to deal with the government in my lifetime.  What a joke.

Until next post...

9/11/2012 - PLEASE RENEW YOUR ACQUAINTANCE WITH SGT. MAJ. LARRY STRICKLAND!

Greetings to my Blogging Pals. Those who have been with me a while know about my participation in Project 2996. I began my participation in 2009 and plan to continue this as long as I am able to do so. I ask each of you to take a moment to remember what happened on 9/11/2001. Even if you read my tributes previously, please read them again. It's important that we see this as an individual, personal event... not just something that happened in New York, D.C., and Pennsylvania over a decade ago. It affects us all and will continue to do so. I do not see the 11th Anniversary as any different from the 2nd, the 19th, or the 100th. The pain for the families is the same. But this is a tribute to their loved one!! Please read about this wonderful gentleman.
*** This was posted in 2009 as my tribute to Sgt. Maj. Larry Strickland. I repeat it here as I will continue doing so on each anniversary of 9/11 as long as I am able. There are a couple of notes and updates from 2010 in bold/italic.

Please meet Sgt. Maj. Larry Strickland. He was 52 years old, born in Washington State, and had a Bachelor of Science degree. He had served our country in a lot of places including Germany, Washington State, Washington DC, Texas, and Virginia. He had many awards and decorations. Most devastating for me to learn was his plan to retire upon completion of 30 years of service... at the end of September 2001. After all of his service, he was close to spending more time on his hobbies (fishing, hiking, gourmet cooking, and needlepoint) and especially looking forward to spending more time with his family. SGM Strickland left behind a wife, Debra, who was the Garrison Command Sergeant Major of Fort Belvoir, VA. at the time, three adult children, and one grandson who will never know his grandfather as he was only a year old when SGM Strickland was taken. His parents also were left to deal with the untimely loss of their child.

NOTE: I posted a note to the family at Legacy.com and received two emails.

One was from SGM Strickland's son-in-law and read, in part:

"I came across your blog today while searching for SM Larry Strickland. I am lucky enough to be married to his daughter Julia and I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for caring enough to research this remarkable man. Everything you read about him and his character is true. He left behind an amazingly strong wife, a beautiful daughter, his two sons, and his grandson. His grandson was 4, not 1 as many newspaper articles claim, so he does remember his grandfather, and fondly."(I was SO happy to read that his grandson did remember his grandfather and wanted to share that with you all! MNC)

The other email was from SGM Strickland's daughter and read, in part:

"Mary, thank you very much for your kind words. I am Larry's daughter, and it is wonderful to know that though it's been 8 years, remembering him and this tragic event is still as important now as it was the day it happened. He was truly a wonderful man, and the best father anyone could ask for."

SGM Strickland headed out to work that day at the Pentagon as there were some meetings he deemed important enough to attend even though he could have skipped them. He had annual leave built up that needed to be used or lost. He chose to go to work. If you knew nothing more about him than that, you would know the character of the man. It was that character that had him in his office on the second floor when the wing he was in was struck by American Airlines Flight 77.

But this is a tribute to SGM Strickland's life. And I've got to tell you the things said about him and written about him are absolutely glowing!! What a wonderful thing... to have those left behind remember you so well and so lovingly. It's not just family. These were friends, co-workers, people who knew him on a "business" level where, many times, the feelings are not so great. I would suggest you take a few moments today to review three different web sites where there are tributes (and from where I gathered much of the information I am sharing with you). It really won't take that long and, thankfully, most of us did not actually know anyone who was lost that day. Perhaps it would be good to learn about at least one of them. I know it gave me a very new perspective.

Pentagon Memorial Fund - Names of the souls lost at the Pentagon are alphabetical by last name. Scroll down and click on SGM Strickland's name to read about his service career.

Columns - The University of Washington Alumni Magazine- Read a really great article here about SGM Strickland's personal life. Sounds like someone we would all like to have known.

The Washington Post - This project is a database of all of the souls lost that day and has a very nice tribute to SGM Strickland.

Legacy.com - This is where folks can leave notes for the family. Many folks were positively impacted by SGM Strickland. Some commented here about their appreciation of the man. I invite you to take just a moment to leave a note here to let the family know the loss of their loved one is something we all remember.

9-11 Heroes - This is another site where a note can be left. Again... take a moment to leave a note on at least one of the sites. You have no idea how much this can mean to family members.

Thank you, SGM Strickland, for your service, for your honor, and for your character. I'm glad I got to know you.

We should never forget.

9/11/2012 - PLEASE RENEW YOUR ACQUAINTANCE WITH MAJOR RONALD D. MILAM!

Greetings to my Blogging Pals. Those who have been with me a while know about my participation in Project 2996. I began my participation in 2009 and plan to continue this as long as I am able to do so. I ask each of you to take a moment to remember what happened on 9/11/2001. Even if you read my tributes previously, please read them again. It's important that we see this as an individual, personal event... not just something that happened in New York, D.C., and Pennsylvania over a decade ago. It affects us all and will continue to do so. I do not see the 11th Anniversary as any different from the 2nd, the 19th, or the 100th. The pain for the families is the same. But this is a tribute to their loved one!! Please read about this wonderful gentleman.

Major Ronald Dutrell Milam was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and had a Bachelors degree from Eastern New Mexico University earned in 1991. He served his country in Germany, Korea, and Saudi Arabia. He had recently received his assignment as Military Assistant for the Secretary of the Army. He had also recently married Jacqueline on January 15, 2000. Things were definitely going well for Major Milam and his new family. His future was clearly a bright one and who knows what wonderful things he would have accomplished!

On 9/11/2001, Major Milam, who had just turned 33 the month before, was at work at the Pentagon. His wife, Jacqueline, five months pregnant with their second child and an Air Force officer, was also at her job at the Pentagon. Neither had an office in the area where Flight 77 struck that morning. Jacqueline was not terribly concerned immediately after the attack assuming they would connect in the parking lot. Major Milam had been attending a staff meeting that morning... right where the aircraft crashed into the Pentagon.

But this post is a tribute to a man who lived well, with honor and with dedication to his country. His college basketball coach had no doubt Major Milam was a leader and a role model during his years working with him. When Major Milam told his coach he had chosen the military as his career, the coach, who thought Milam should pursue a career in law, told the young man he supported him 100%. Major Milam clearly touched many lives during his own. What a great legacy to leave!! We should all be proud of this young man.

Take a few moments today to visit the sites below. If you can, leave a note for his family at either Legacy.com or at 9-11 Heroes. All of the sites below are links to get you there quickly.

Eastern New Mexico University News Release - Review this page for comments from Major Milam's high school principal and his college basketball coach. This will let you know the caliber of the man we honor today.

Arlington Cemetery Site - If you read nothing else, read this tribute. Major Milam's wife recounts the events of that day and what has kept her going.

Pentagon Memorial Site - This site has a full obituary providing information on Major Milam's life.

The Washington Post - This site has a short remembrance from Major Milam's father about the Major's love of golf.

Legacy.Com - Take a moment and leave a note for the family here, if you wish.

9-11 Heroes - Or you can leave a note for the family here, if you wish.

Thank you, Major Milam, for your service, for your honor, and for your character. I'm glad I got to know you.

We should never forget.